Ex-Lover's brutal revenge: student's dismembered body found

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): A tragic incident unfolded in Auras, Unnao district, Uttar Pradesh, where 19-year-old Upasana, the daughter of Home Guard Hridaynarayan Gautam, was kidnapped and murdered by her former lover, Tauheed. The gruesome crime came to light when her school bag, uniform, ID card, books and hair were discovered in the jungle of Talhi village. Following this, her skeleton was recovered from different locations. Investigations revealed that Tauheed enraged upon seeing another young man's display picture on Upasana's WhatsApp, travelled from Hyderabad and lured her to a forest seven kilometres from her village on February 10. A heated argument ensued after which he strangled her and then slit her throat with a knife before fleeing. On February 20, during a police encounter, he was shot in the leg and arrested. He later confessed to the crime, stating he had once bought a phone for Upasana and was devastated by her growing distance and alleged involvement with a Chandigarh-based youth named Pradeep.

After committing the murder, Tauheed initially fled to Hyderabad but later returned to his village with his brother Tauseef on February 15. Police detained Tauheed briefly on February 16 but released him with a warning to stay in the village. It was only after Upasana’s remains were discovered on February 20 that the case intensified. The police, upon tracing mobile call records, found Tauheed’s involvement and arrested him after a chase. During the subsequent combing operation, more skeletal remains were found in a dense acacia forest. The police now suspect wild animals may have contributed to the dismemberment of the body, rather than deliberate mutilation by the accused. The case is under further investigation with authorities looking into the role of law enforcement in handling the case and tracking down other possible leads.